How much to pay for a demo reel?

[LAVoiceNewbie]

Hello!

I am in the process of getting a professional commercial demo produced. My question is...how much should I spend?

I attended last year's VOICE conference in LA, and several commercial coaches/demo reel producers gave a talk about reels. All of the teachers gave their prices, which ranged from $500 to $1500. Since they were on this panel, I'm assuming all of them are legit. Of course, I would love to pay closer to $500 than $1500. But am I just setting myself up for a less-than-steller reel?

Thank you for your time!

:kiss:

[Mike Sommer]

Hello!

I am in the process of getting a professional commercial demo produced. My question is...how much should I spend?

As much as you can, without going into poverty. This is a business, your demo is your calling card, your only
means to demonstrate exactly what you can do in one minuet of time. So it has to be the very best.

You post as a newbie. My question to you is, how much training have you had in VO? Do you think you are really ready if you're concerned about price?


I only ask this because if you've been through the trenches of classes, workouts, and sessions, you would
understand that $1500 is a drop in the bucket, compared to what you can spend on a very fine demo. I like to
use different studios to put together demo commercials so they all don't sound as if they all came same from
the same studio.

[JoeActor]

Hey LAVN - Welcome!

The ranges you mention are on par for the LA market. I paid about $1000 for each demo, and that was about 4-5 years back.

It'd be nice to know a bit more about your experience, goals, etc. If you have a chance, please post an introduction in the Welcome area of the forum.

The reason I bring this up is, Are you ready for a demo?
It's an important question. Many people rush in to make a demo before they're really ready. Better to have no demo than a less than stallar one, IMHO.

Cheers,
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com (http://www.JoeActor.com)
www.SoundsGoodToYou.com (http://www.SoundsGoodToYou.com)

[Colin Campbell]

If you can come up with 10 dry tracks you are proud of, I can produce them both individually and into a sixty second demo for $150.

Example...

http://www.voice-overs.com/forum/hotseat-will-you-critique-my-demo/2611-new-commercial-demo-production-colin-campbell.html

[Pat Sweeney]

I am a full time newbie as of the new year, been doing VO on a limited basis for 6 years due to a full time salaried position. When I first started I made the mistake of creating a new demo too early in my career. I wish my coach was a little more honest with me at the time but he was in it for the money. At the present time I am committed to getting better at my craft and have told my current coach let's take our time and do it right this time and you let me know when I am ready. I was much too anxious to get out there. and start. It took me awhile to realize I was probably losing some gigs due to an average demo. Your demo is your calling card take the time and develop your skills, you will thank yourself later. As everyone already knows, you have one chance to make a strong first impression. It is so true in this industry.

[Jacoby]

I know there are several of us who would vouch for Colin's production skills in a heartbeat.

[Lee Gordon]

Another endorsement for Colin here. Of course, even Colin has a hard time making chicken salad from chicken s#%t, so the bottom line for any good demo is you have to have good stuff to put in it.

[Lori Furth]

Remember, as Bob Bergen once said, you only get one chance to make your first impression. Like the others say, you need to be ready first, not just ready to hand over the money!

[Scott Pollak]

even Colin has a hard time making chicken salad from chicken s#%t

Chicken SWEAT?

Gee, I dunno. It kind of adds a nice little salty flavor to it.

[Colin Campbell]

It breaks my heart that a "newbie" would spend $500-$1500 on a demo.

No matter how much someone says "you're not ready," if you are "Hell bent" on a demo, it can be done much cheaper.

Points...

1. The "pros" will give you copy (scripts.) Unfortunately it's the same scripts they've given dozens of others.

2. They don't necessarilly care about your success. They care about your money going into their pockets.

3. As with many of these "salesmen," they are trying to make money on your dream. Be careful.

[PierceVoice]

Colin, there's certainly no doubting your ability to rock a demo guru-style... but...

1. Isn't true if you go to the right place-- consider the fee should be covering a customized set of copy as well as the engineer, director, and time in post-prod. I know there are hacks, but don't discount there are actually big time folks making super custom demos who-- at the right time in your career-- are a vital resource & sitting in the high-price range for a reason.

2. Again, good & bad people in EVERY field... but doesn't a studio ultimately WANT you to succeed? So you will come back for 2nd, 3rd, and fourth demos? So that you'll recommend them? Word of mouth is so strong-- why would someone who knows their business be willing to shoot him/herself in the foot?

3. The best of talented producers are in it because they're good and they are selling something they know they can do-- it's they're thing & they deserve to be paid. Remember, we're ALL salespeople out to make money off someone's dream.

That said, no one should be spending money on a demonstration without something worth demonstrating.... Right?



*note: i feel i should disclaim that currently all my demos are self-produced. they won't be by the beginning of next year.